According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, contract negotiation talks between the Phillies and lefthander Cole Hamels are beginning to pick up quickly.
According to Stark's sources, the club and Hamels and his agent John Boggs have begun to seriously negotiate as the club pushes to get Hamels signed before the July 31 trade deadline. As well as trying to get the deal done, the Phillies have put any potential trade talks with other clubs on hold.
Meanwhile, clubs that have been speaking with the Phillies say the team has essentially put trade talks on hold, and have been much more focused on signing the 28-year-old left-hander than on dealing him before the deadline.
Another of Stark's sources claim that the Phillies are willing to give Hamels a six-year deal, a first for any starting pitcher in team history.
Like stated before, Hamels' market has been shaped by San Francisco Giants righty Matt Cain, who received a five-year, $112.5MM deal that actually guarauntees him a sixth year ...

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